Navigate the App Store landscape. Share strategies for app submission, distribution, marketing, and user acquisition. Discuss best practices for getting your app discovered and downloaded.

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Sharing IAPs between apps
I have had an App (AngelNav) available on the App Store since 2023 which was written for iOS v15.0 or later. I am working on a new version which has the same functionality, but a radically new interface as well as taking advantage of the latest features in SwiftUI. I am writing it from the bottom up for iOS26 to ensure a clean codebase to ease maintenance. As I understand it I have the following options: Issue an update to the existing app. This is easy to do but creates a problem for those users with iOS26 who prefer the old interface. In addition I can't see a way to implement bug fixes for previous versions Create a new app (AngelNavNeo). This would allow users with iOS26 who prefer the old interface to stick with it, and I can issue bug fixes on the old version. However, there is no way to share already purchased in-app purchases between versions without a server-side solution and the need for user accounts on my server (neither of which I want to do). Is my understanding is correct, and have I missed anything?
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Adding iOS companion later to WatchOS-only app
I had a Watch-only app on the AppStore, and decided to add an iOS companion app now. Technically this was very easy, adding just an according target to my project. TestFlight tests where successful, IAPs remained valid for the whole setup etc., watch app could remain standalone as well -- so everything looked "Go" for release. But now customers that already previously downloaded the watch app just see "Purchased" in the AppStore for the app, and they neither automatically get the iOS companion through the update process, nor can they force a download (as there is no cloud icon to explicitly do so -- just the greyed-out "Purchased" button). The watch app updates automatically to the new version, but it seems impossible to initiate the iOS app download. The initial download of the watch-only app also doesn't show up in their list of purchases/download (only on the watch AppStore app, but from there, the iOS app won't be forced to install either). Did anyone face this also and can recommend a solution that can be communicated to affected (i.e. all so far...) customers?
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IAP stuck in Review causing rejection
I’m stuck in a loop where my in-app purchase (IAP) product cannot be reviewed because my app version is in “Rejected” status. In order to submit the IAP for review, I need to submit a new app version and select the IAP product. But since the current version is rejected, I can't select the IAP during submission. As a result, RevenueCat can't fetch the IAP products, and the app appears to not use in-app purchases, which leads to another rejection. I’d like to know the correct steps to break this cycle and properly submit both the app and the IAP for review. Any guidance is appreciated!
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Build stuck in "Processing" status for hours
Hi everyone, I uploaded two builds to App Store Connect today, but they have been stuck in "Processing" status for 10 hours now: Build 1.0 (10): Uploaded at Jan 14, 2026 5:03 AM - still Processing Build 1.0 (9): Uploaded at Jan 14, 2026 4:23 AM(UTC+8) - still Processing Usually my builds complete processing within 10-30 minutes. Is there a known issue with build processing today, or is there something I should check on my end? Any help would be appreciated. Thanks!
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URGENT: App & Developer Name completely missing from Search Index (2.5 weeks live, 2k+ DLs)
Hi there, I’m writing this because I’m feeling incredibly frustrated and downbeat. I launched my app about two and a half weeks ago, and while it’s been a success in terms of users—with over 2k downloads and 35 five-star reviews via Reddit—it is currently invisible when searched for on the App Store (it can be found by direct link or Google search). Even when searching for the exact app name or my developer name (Robert Lothian), nothing comes up. It’s as if the app doesn't exist in your search database. To make matters worse, the app was featured in several articles, podcasts, and live streams last week. Because of this search issue, potential users who heard about the app couldn't find it. This has not only stunted my growth during a critical launch window but I fear it is causing genuine damage to my reputation as a developer. I raised a ticket last Saturday (102811242184) but haven't heard anything back, I just did a follow-up ticket just now, as it has been a week. I truly believe this is a backend synchronisation issue that just needs a quick look from the engineering team to reset the index for my App ID. Please, can someone look into this or escalate it? I’ve worked so hard on this launch, and it’s heart-wrenching to see it blocked by a technical glitch. App Name: Archivist Browser App ID: 6756570654 Best regards, Robert Lothian
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App Store Connect Sales & Trends “Last 24 Hours” No Data
Hi everyone, We’re experiencing an issue with App Store Connect → Sales & Trends (Sales) → Last 24 Hours (hourly) reporting, specifically for In-App Purchase (IAP) sales. On January 30–31, 2026, when checking Last 24 Hours sales data, we consistently see IAP sales drop to 0 starting around 18:00 UTC, as if no purchases happened after that time. However, we can confirm that IAP transactions did occur during the same time window using other validation sources (e.g., server-side logs / analytics). In App Store Connect, those hours still show 0. I did a quick search and found reports of similar behavior affecting downloads/units for some teams, but in our case downloads/units look normal in Last 24 Hours. The problem appears to be only in the IAP sales portion. Questions: Is anyone else seeing hourly gaps / 0 values for IAP around Jan 30–31, 2026 (or today)? Is this a known Sales & Trends reporting delay that eventually backfills, or an ongoing issue? If you’ve seen this before, how long did it take to normalize/backfill, and did any specific check/filter help?
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How do you run A/B tests for your iOS app icon in App Store Connect?
Apple’s documentation indicates that iOS now supports A/B testing for app icons, but I haven’t been able to get it working. My app already includes alternate icons within the same binary, yet when I try to set up an A/B test in App Store Connect, there’s no option to change the icon-only screenshots can be updated in a new treatment.
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What’s the best way to improve my app’s rating and get more positive reviews?
My iOS app currently holds a 3.5★ rating with limited reviews, and I’d like to raise it by motivating happy users to share feedback. I’m looking for ethical ways to do this without being pushy. What are the best strategies and timing for review prompts to boost ratings while keeping users satisfied?
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Apple Developer Program purchase shows “Enrollment Complete”, but developer account still “Pending” (Xcode only shows Personal Team)
Hi, I enrolled in the Apple Developer Program as an individual and my order page shows “Enrollment Complete”, but my developer account page at developer.apple.com/account still shows “Pending”. In Xcode, under Settings/Preferences → Accounts, I only see Personal Team (no paid Program team), so I can’t use TestFlight / App Store Connect for external testing.
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App "In review" for long time
Dear App Review Team, Our app – Apple ID 6756967338, has been stuck in the “In Review” status for over 10 days (Jan, 19 at 1:33 PM). Normally, reviews begin within a few days, but in our case, it seems unusually delayed. Could you please clarify: • Is there a specific reason for this hold? • Is any action required from our side? • When can we expect the review to finish? Thank you very much for your time and assistance.
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Apple wants me to change the Bundle ID (Non XCODE)
Hello! I have a web extension I've written to Google Chrome and Mozilla Firefox. It's made up of simple files. The extension (content.js) A manifest (manifest.json) file which explains the extension The icon (icon.png) Apple has developed App Store Connect / Xcode Cloud specifically for this. I upload those three files as a zip. I move it over to TestFlight for testing and then select Distribution to put it through Apple Review. This is my entire process. I have been doing this for 4+ months and Apple reviewed my application and put it up. I have then gone through 13 subsequent reviews (ALL POSITIVE) and have gone through version upgrades for months, no issue. On the 15th review, they want me to change the name of my application. I have done that in the content.js, the manifest.json, and anywhere that allows me to change it in App Store Connect. There is apparently one more place they want it changed. This is on the App Information / General Information tab, specifically the "BundleID". The tip on that field says: The bundle ID must match the one you used in Xcode. It can't be changed after you upload your first build. Or, I am not understanding what their issue is or what else I can change. I was told by Review team I must use XCODE to change this. I tell them I don't use XCode (they demand now I use Xcode, which seems completely irrelevant here and a red herring The tooltip itself says I can't change it anyway? Has anyone been told after they released their application they have to change their name later on in life?
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Invoking app clip, that was installed from TestFlight, from a different app.
I have an app clip installed via TestFlight. My AASA file is configured correctly (per 'Domain Status' in TestFlight). I want to be able to run the app clip flow (app clip card showing and app clip card launched) by invoking UIApplication.shared.open(url) from a different app, or by pressing the URL from notes app. This doesn't seem to work. The only thing I am able to do is run the flow when scanning a proper QR code after configuring Local Experience with the matching parameters. But as stated above, the flow will not work when invoking the URL from a different app. Is the proper way to fix this is to define an HTML page for that URL path that contain the element with app-clip-bundle-id attribute that will match the Local Experience configuration? Is there another way to make this flow work with TestFlight releases? what are my options?
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Apple Developer Program Enrollment: pending
Hello everyone, I'm currently waiting for my Apple Developer Program enrollment to be approved and wondering if my timeline is normal. My situation: Payment of $99 USD: ✅ Completed (have invoice and order number) Government-issued photo ID: ✅ Submitted Confirmation email received: ✅ Yes - "Thank you for providing the documents we requested. We will review them and follow up with you within two business days" Days since confirmation email: 3+ business days The email stated they would follow up within two business days, but it's now been more than three business days with no update. My questions: Is it normal for the review to take longer than the stated "two business days"? For those who were approved, did you receive multiple emails throughout the process, or just a final approval email? Has anyone experienced similar delays? What was the outcome? Just want to make sure nothing is stuck or requires additional action from my side. Thanks for any insights!
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TestFlight install fails with “The requested app is not available or doesn’t exist” after successful upload (Flutter app)
Hello, I’m facing an issue installing my app from TestFlight on a physical iPhone device. App & Environment App: Desi Charades Framework: Flutter Distribution: TestFlight Build status: Upload completed Device: iPhone 7+ iOS version: 15.6 Tester type: Internal Apple Developer Program: Paid account Issue Description After uploading a build successfully to App Store Connect and adding it to TestFlight, the app appears in TestFlight with the Install button. However, when I tap Install, I receive the following error on the device: “Could not install Desi Charades App. The requested app is not available or doesn’t exist.” The build is visible in TestFlight, but installation fails immediately. Upload Warnings During archive upload, App Store Connect shows the following warnings: Upload Symbols Failed The archive did not include a dSYM for: ffmpegkit.framework libavcodec.framework libavdevice.framework The app uses ffmpeg-kit (Flutter plugin), which ships precompiled frameworks. Steps Already Checked Build shows in TestFlight Build added to test group Tester is assigned correctly Correct Apple ID signed in on device Device restarted Waited for processing to complete App Store availability set to “All Countries or Regions” Questions Can missing dSYM files for ffmpeg-kit frameworks cause TestFlight install failures? Are there additional TestFlight availability or processing checks that could cause this error? Is this error related to TestFlight build propagation or caching on Apple’s side? Any guidance on what could cause TestFlight to show the app but fail installation would be appreciated. Thank you.
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In-app purchase changes waiting for review for 1 week
Hello Apple Developer Community, It's been almost a week since I submitted an update to an existing In-App Purchase and specifically a text change to the "Display Name" field. All my new localized strings are stuck in "Waiting for Review" status, and the IAP itself shows "Updates Pending Review" (although its status is "Approved"). Do I need to submit a new app version for these metadata changes to be reviewed, even though the IAP was previously approved? Thanks in advance for any insight.
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Sandbox: Pending transaction keeps replaying on app start / when switching users — any solution?
Hi, We're seeing a recurring issue in Sandbox only with in-app subscriptions (StoreKit 2). Hoping someone has run into this and has a workaround or explanation. What happens A subscription purchase (e.g. Yearly) is made in Sandbox. For whatever reason, the transaction stays pending in the queue. On the next app launch (or when a different user logs into the app on the same device), the store returns this same pending transaction via getAvailablePurchases() / the purchase queue. Our app sends that transaction to our backend for validation and updates the currently logged-in user in our database. So the same transaction can end up being applied to another user if they log in on the same device after the original purchaser. We call finishTransaction after successful validation, but the pending transaction still reappears in subsequent sessions or for another user on the same device. So in short: one Sandbox purchase stays "pending" and is replayed every time we start the app or switch accounts, and we can't rely on it being tied to a single user. Environment Sandbox only (we haven't shipped to production yet). StoreKit 2 / modern App Store Server API (transaction ID validation). We run getAvailablePurchases() on connect and process pending purchases once per session; we then call finishTransaction only after our server has validated and updated the user. Same device, multiple app accounts (different app users, same Sandbox Apple ID or same device). What we're trying to understand Is it expected in Sandbox that one transaction can be delivered again and again (on each launch or for each user on the device) until something clears it? Is there a recommended way to clear or ignore a specific pending transaction in Sandbox when we've already validated it for a given user (e.g. idempotency key, or a way to "consume" it so it doesn't replay)? Has anyone else hit this "same pending transaction replaying for different users / on every launch" in Sandbox and found a reliable approach (e.g. server-side idempotency, or a StoreKit/Sandbox step we're missing)? We've added server-side protection (one transaction → one user) so the same purchase isn't credited to multiple accounts, but we'd like to understand if there's a proper way to handle or clear this pending state in Sandbox. Thanks in advance.
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App stuck in "Waiting for Review"
Hey, everyone! I've been trying to publish a new version of my app but it's been stuck in "Waiting for Review" for over 2 weeks now. Previous review processes were really swift (even during the holiday season). Has anyone experienced this issue? I've seen a couple of similar posts here. Any help or guidance will be much appreciated. Best, Wadi
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